Volcano Hummingbird
The Volcano Hummingbird is a tiny hummingbird endemic to the high-elevation páramo and scrublands of Costa Rica and western Panama, with males displaying variable throat colors (pink, purple, or gray) depending on the volcanic mountain range they inhabit, representing one of the smallest birds in Central America and showing remarkable adaptations to cold, high-altitude conditions…
Selasphorus flammula
Scientific Name
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
Family
Apodiformes
Order
S. f. flammula
Subspecies. Costa Rica's Cordillera Central
S. f. torridus
Subspecies. Costa Rica's Cordillera de Talamanca
S. f. simoni
Subspecies. Western Panama
Range and Habitat of Volcano Hummingbird
Geographic Range
The Volcano Hummingbird is endemic to the high mountains of Costa Rica and extreme western Panama (Volcán Barú area).
Migratory Patterns
The species shows limited seasonal altitudinal movements. Some individuals descend slightly during harsh weather, moving from páramo to upper montane forest edges.
Preferred Habitat
The Volcano Hummingbird inhabits páramo with scattered shrubs and flowers, stunted elfin forest at treeline, volcanic peaks with specialized vegetation, edges between forest and open areas at high elevation, and mountain meadows with abundant wildflowers. It occasionally visits gardens at appropriate elevations and requires areas with small flowers adapted to high-altitude conditions.
Altitude Range
This is Costa Rica’s highest-elevation hummingbird. It typically occurs from 1,800-3,400 m elevation, most commonly above 2,400 m. Occasionally descends to 1,500 m during severe weather. Found up to 3,800 m on Chirripó, Costa Rica’s highest peak.
Costa Rica Habitat
In Costa Rica, the species occurs in two separate populations. The nominate subspecies inhabits Cordillera Central including Poás Volcano, Barva Volcano, Irazú Volcano, and Turrialba Volcano. The torridus subspecies occurs in the Cordillera de Talamanca including Cerro de la Muerte, Chirripó, and surrounding peaks.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Conservation Status
Population Status
The species remains common to abundant in appropriate habitat. Density can reach 15-25 individuals per hectare in optimal páramo habitat.
Climate change poses the most serious threat, potentially eliminating páramo habitat through temperature increases. Volcanic activity could impact populations on active volcanoes.
Conservation efforts
The species is well-protected in national parks covering all major volcanic peaks.
Primary Threats
Climate change poses the most serious threat, potentially eliminating páramo habitat through temperature increases. Volcanic activity could impact populations on active volcanoes.
Volcano Hummingbird Identification
How to Identify the Species
Rarity Level:
CommonBest Viewing Times:
Early Morning (Dawn - 8 AM)
Size
Lenghth: 7.5-8.5 cm; Weight: 2.3-2.8 g
Plumage
Adult males of the nominate subspecies (flammula) display bronzy-green to grayish-green upperparts with a bronze sheen. The gorget is brilliant pinkish-purple to wine-colored, appearing gray or black in poor light. Adult females lack the colorful gorget, showing white to buff underparts with green spotting on the flanks. They have bronzy-green upperparts and white tips to outer tail feathers.
Distinctive Features
Males show distinctive white or buff patches behind the eyes that are prominent in display.
Sexual Dimorphism
Males possess colorful gorgets (purple or red depending on subspecies) while females have white throats with dark speckling.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
Primary Diet
- The Volcano Hummingbird feeds primarily on nectar from small high-elevation flowers. It supplements its diet with tiny insects and spiders, particularly gnats and aphids. The bird also feeds on tree sap from sapsucker holes and spider silk for protein.
Foraging Techniques
Feeding Times
- This hummingbird visits flowers in regular circuits (trap-lining), exploiting small flowers that larger hummingbirds cannot use efficiently. It perches while feeding when possible to conserve energy in cold conditions and hawks tiny insects in flight.
Behavior Patterns
Volcano Hummingbird
Social Structure
Males are highly territorial, defending small flower patches aggressively despite their tiny size. Females are solitary except when nesting. Multiple individuals may concentrate at productive flower patches but maintain individual distances.
Song and Vocalization
Males produce thin, high-pitched songs of chips and twitters from exposed perches. The song varies between subspecies, with Talamanca birds having distinctly different vocalizations. Call notes include sharp “tsip” or “chip” sounds, often too high-pitched for human ears.
Courtship and Mating Ritual
Males perform dive displays from heights of 5-10 meters, producing mechanical sounds with tail feathers. They hover in front of females displaying the colorful gorget and perform pendulum flights back and forth in precise arcs. White eye patches are prominently displayed during courtship.
Territoriality
Despite being one of the smallest birds, males fearlessly defend territories of 100-300 m² around flower patches. They chase away all intruders including much larger birds and use strategic high perches to monitor territories.
Birdwatching Tips
Best Locations for Spotting Volcano Hummingbird
Prime sites include
- Irazú Volcano National Park near the summit
- Cerro de la Muerte páramo areas (KM 85-95 on Route 2)
- Chirripó National Park (requires hiking)
- Barva Volcano trail through elfin forest
- Poás Volcano when accessible
- Villa Mills area for easy roadside access
- Paraíso Quetzal Lodge high trails
- La Georgina Restaurant area for Talamanca subspecies
Best Time of the Year
Best viewing from November to February during breeding season when males are displaying. Clear mornings offer highest activity before afternoon clouds develop.
Common Behavior
Look for tiny hummingbirds at small flowers, particularly salvias and fuchsias. Males perch prominently on exposed twigs when territorial. Check low flowering shrubs that other hummingbirds ignore.
Recommended Gear
Essential equipment includes binoculars with close focus capability for tiny birds, warm windproof clothing essential at high elevations, camera with good autofocus for these fast-moving subjects
Breeding and Nesting Behavior
Breeding Season
Breeding occurs primarily from October to March during the dry season when flowers are most abundant. Peak activity varies by location: November-January in Cordillera Central, October-December in Talamanca range.
Nesting Sites
The tiny cup nest measures only 2.5-3 cm external diameter, among the smallest bird nests in Costa Rica. It is constructed of moss, plant down, and spider silk, with exterior decorated with lichens matching surroundings. Nests are placed 0.5-3 meters high in shrubs or stunted trees, often sheltered by overhanging vegetation.
Clutch Size
2 tiny white eggs
Incubation Period
15-17 days
Parental Care
15-17 days
Did You Know?
Interesting Behaviors
This species can survive overnight temperatures below freezing by entering torpor. Heart rate drops from over 1,000 to less than 100 beats per minute during torpor.
Cultural Significance
The different gorget colors led to the subspecies being called “purple-throated” versus “cerise-throated” locally. Indigenous peoples considered them spirits of the volcanoes.
Surprising Traits
Some individuals live over 5 years despite their tiny size and harsh environment. The species pollinates flowers in temperatures near freezing when insects are inactive.
How do I identify this bird?
Look for one of Costa Rica’s tiniest birds at high elevations above 2,000m. Males have colorful gorgets – purple in Cordillera Central, red in Talamanca. Females lack gorgets but share the tiny size and high-elevation habitat. The very short bill and preference for small flowers are distinctive.
Where is the best place to see it in Costa Rica?
Irazú Volcano National Park summit area offers easy access for the purple-throated form. For the red-throated Talamanca form, the Cerro de la Muerte páramo areas along Route 2 provide roadside viewing. Both require high elevation visits above 2,800m for best chances.
Is it endangered?
Currently listed as Least Concern with stable populations. However, climate change poses a serious future threat as warming temperatures could eliminate páramo habitat. The species cannot move to higher elevations as it already inhabits mountain summits.